""Albania is absolutely gorgeous and still feels untouched by mass tourism, especially compared to other European destinations like Barcelona, Paris, London, Rome, and even Prague," Walter, 28, told Business Insider. "The food is some of our favorite anywhere, and the locals are incredibly welcoming and have treated us like family." It's not perfect - the country is still developing after decades of isolation under communism,"
"Their experiences highlight Albania's rebrand as a modern, worldly nation. The small Mediterranean country, which is bordered by Greece and Montenegro and sits across the Adriatic sea from Italy, has a population of fewer than 3 million, or less than half that of New York City. With stunning beaches along its southern coast, the Alps to the north, and hospitality and dining far cheaper than in neighboring countries, Albania has become an increasingly attractive tourist destination."
Alicia Walter and her husband moved from San Diego to Albania in 2023 after falling in love with the country’s landscapes, cuisine, and welcoming people. Albania remains developing following decades of communist isolation and suffered infrastructure damage in Tirana during a 2019 earthquake, but many residents find the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The country has fewer than 3 million people, borders Greece and Montenegro, and lies across the Adriatic Sea from Italy. Stunning southern beaches, northern Alps, and far cheaper hospitality and dining than neighboring countries have driven tourist growth: 11.7 million foreign visitors in 2024, a 15.2% increase, including 306,000 from the Americas.
Read at Business Insider
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